The feeling of being out without protection made her nerves stand on end. Telling Zeke to not use his barriers no matter the danger, and knowing that he won’t break his word, somehow made it all the more real.
Back at the tower, she realized just how weak she was without the use of his barriers against stronger foes. Back at the forest, all she dealt with were meager Expert-level monsters with more brawns than brains. But this time, she was facing regular Journeyman-ranked monsters with magic at their disposal.
Figuring she needed to make a check up after a long while, she opened up her status, skills and all.
> Name: Mikella Ashton (Overachiever)
> Race: Human
> Dragon Berserker: Level 39
> Attunement: Unbridled Fulmination (Tier 1)
> STR: 131
> DEX: 156
> INT: 21
> SPI: 27
> VIT: 36
> END: 105
> Free Points: 0
>
> General Skills:
> Kinetic Perception (U) Level 8
> Sword Mastery (U) Level 9
> Axe Mastery (U) Level 4
> Spear Mastery (U) Level 4
> Bow Mastery (U) Level 1
> Hammer Mastery (U) Level 1
> Pain Resistance (U) Level 7
> Meditation (C) Level 7
>
> Acquired Skills:
> Acrobatics (R) Level 9
> Hawk Eyes (R) Level 8
>
> Class Skills:
> Heavenly Strike Level 5
> Dragon Descent Level 5
> Aerial Advantage Level 3
> Draconic Fury Level 1
>
> Title Skill:
> Give me more (Title), Level 1 (Maxed)
It was becoming longer and longer with more skills involved, hence why she always took them off. Not that looking at them will change anything.
Her Sword Mastery was the only thing on her mind. After reaching level 9, she felt that her technique had been lacking. As if it didn’t have a soul to turn to. When she first got it, she learned a lot, but as she fought and grew her levels, her skill was becoming more like training wheels rather than a valuable teacher. And now even those training wheels were becoming a chore.
If she’s not willing to push herself, she can’t reach beyond her limits. Back at the training course, it was controlled, and no matter what happens, the healers would come in to help, Zeke included.
But even with Zeke still here, the safety net was off. She had what she needed to set the stage, and now it was time for her to act. Though with her comrades by her side, she worried whether that would still be enough.
But she convinced herself that it was a bad idea to push them away. Not only do they deserve to advance as much as she did, she knew that fighting by oneself is paramount to suicide. There was a difference between fighting with a safety net, and fighting with both arms tied and one eye closed. Fighting in a dangerous environment with monsters in a higher stage than you without comrades is just like that.
Also, she wanted to fight together with her comrades. This was also something she needed to work on for the future.
The four headed off together, each group going off on their own to gain experience and survey the area. While nobody really questioned it, it was okay for Piker to go along with them. After all, they fought together more than half the time back at the tower, and they had good synergy with one another.
They stepped over the area where the greenery took place. Though the grass and the leaves from the nearby trees weren't as natural as the forests above. The leaves were glowing slightly, and there were shimmering gemstones embedded within the trunks of the trees.
They also passed by the river that was flowing clear blue water, and Zeke mentioned that the water itself was imbued with lots of mana, obviously water aspected. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s safe to drink regardless of how much they boil it. Mana can be even worse than germs or bacteria in some cases, and this was one of them.
The atmosphere was quiet, the lull sound echoing and only small snippets of metal clanging from the other groups was heard throughout.
“Guess they got better luck than we do,” Myra commented at the noise, her voice as low as a whisper.
It was obvious she was nervous. Even without the barrier, facing strong monsters on a common basis was enough to make anyone nervous. Even Piker seemed tense. His face was the same and was silent as always, but his posture was tighter, more controlled.
Then, noise cluttered around them. Crystals from their surroundings began to break and get crushed as a massive weight walked over them.
She could hide, but Mikella couldn’t leave her comrades behind as they didn’t have stealth skills, so she gripped her sword tight when she saw the creature coming in to face them.
As her luck would have it, of course it would be the very same one that ate those tough bisons like breakfast.
> Crystal Hunter, Level 72
“Fuck me,” Myra groaned as Piker put himself into a fighting stance. “Ah well, here’s to hoping it’s not resistant to fire.”
“I doubt that,” Piker said, not sounding cheeky but more concerned. “Considering it’s ruby coloring, it most likely uses Fire magic.”
“Ah, damn it. Guess I’m useless.”
Though Myra sounded defeated, the feral grin on her face showed otherwise. Mikella let out a breath as she let the incoming fight fill her with adrenaline and a slight tinge of fear.
“I’ll go ahead,” Mikella said, getting their attention. “You two head in when you spot a chance.”
The two nodded, knowing full well that her speed outmatched theirs. Taking that in, she stepped forward, brandishing her sword. She noticed Zeke hiding within the confines of the crystals. She could practically guess his face turning pale and sweat beginning to form on his forehead.
She wished she could say that she’ll be fine, but now wasn’t the time. She needed to focus. She can’t get distracted like before.
The Crystal Hunter was as quiet even when it appeared. But once Mikella stepped forward, a low growl emanated from between the sharp fangs protruding from its mouth. It slightly opened them, revealing a slowly glowing innards of the Hunter.
Her instincts came in and she deftly dodged the incoming fire stream that took out the entire quarter of the field they were at. She moved towards one of the larger crystals and went behind, letting the flames hit the crystal instead. Even from behind, she could feel the intense heat of the flames, and she swore even the large crystal was beginning to heat up to the point of glowing bright hot red.
One touch could make third-degree burns on her skin even at her level, but she was ready to step out at any moment once the fire died out. And once it did, she charged ahead.
She saw the other two coming at the Hunter, raising their favored weapons. Myra wasn’t able to bring out her full potential, but she still thrusted her spear against the Hunter’s hide. Despite not having great toughness like the bison, the Hunter shrugged it off and tried to bite at her, only to snap at empty air.
Piker swiped his bastard sword from down below straight under its jaw at the moment, but the Hunter turned around and struck Piker at his chest with a strong kick from its hind leg. The claws from the leg scratched his armor, but it didn’t pierce through as he slid across the ground, gritting his teeth.
Mikella charged forward with her own swipe, this time diagonally straight at its shoulder. This time it hit, but the blade didn’t even hit flesh. Its hide caused it to only scratch across, sparks flying out. Her fingers ached from the action alone as she clicked her tongue in frustration before jumping away before getting snapped at by its giant jaws.
It was close too. The fangs nearly grazed through her forearm, leaving hot cuts across her flesh. It wasn’t enough to be dangerous, so she just let her passive Meditation skill take care of that.
The only solace is that despite how close it was, Zeke didn’t provide a barrier. She could tell that he wanted to come in to heal them, but there was no chance for him to get in.
Myra and Piker picked up the pace, adding in their own strikes and swipes, but the Hunter managed to take them on without issue. Only a few scratches were left on its tough hide, and so far only Myra’s powerful strikes and Piker’s frost-covered blade managed to do any damage.
She wanted to use her class, to rely on Heavenly Strike for damage and Draconic Fury for an increase in power. However, she felt deep within her soul that relying on her class won’t allow her to further improve her General Skills.
She’ll take every advantage to survive, so Dragon Descent was still useful, and Aerial Advantage is a passive skill that can still work. However, she needed to rely solely on her sword for this.
She’ll wade through blood and hellfire if it means becoming stronger, if it means protecting both Clara and Zeke.
She called forth the fulmination within her. Electricity coiled around her chest, then ran up to her limbs. She felt her body trying to resist, to control, but instead of doing the normal, she did the opposite.
She let it control her. She realized that trying to fight her mana was the same as trying to fight herself. Like her, her attunement is ferocious and wild. Trying to contain and control it would only make it angrier, more out of control.
But she also didn’t let it do as it pleased, either. She could already feel her power trying to shock her insides, trying to turn her into barbeque like so many times before. So she did half–she resisted from getting hurt, but let it do as it pleased.
She feared Class Madness once, but instead, it became her–her Class was now one with her spirit, aligning themselves together to create one path forward–to get stronger and to conquer her obstacles.
There, she finally felt it. An equilibrium with herself. She knew this was just the first step, but it was the biggest step she could ever make.
Unfortunately, while this was happening with her mind, the fight was still going on. The Hunter took care of Myra and Piker’s attacks and quickly charged towards the one gathering so much power around herself. Myra and Piker tried to scream out, and Zeke was just about ready to use his barrier.
But he forced his hand away. He only looked on as the Hunter closed in towards Mikella.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
She breathed in… then out. Then let her power flow.
Lightning flashed as she dashed, a clap of thunder echoing around her as she whipped past the Hunter, her sword blade stretched out.
In that instant, a large gash appeared across the Hunter’s tough hide, rainbow blood gushing out of itself. As the sparks lingered around her body, Mikella’s Hawk Eyes opened wide.
Her vision picked up the head, obviously, but there was also a crystal hidden within the furs of the Hunter. As it growled in pain, turning back and trying to launch another gaut of fire at her wake, she decided to try something new.
She stretched out her hand and willed the lightning forward. Together, the two decided to make it fun as she launched her lightning straight from her fingertips and at the Hunter. The monster howled as electricity caught it, but it didn’t blast it away nor did it cause it to stun.
Instead, it coiled, wrapped around it like rope. With an effort of will and a roar, Mikella dragged the Hunter with her lightning, lifting it up and smashing it straight at a nearby crystal. The wolf crashed and caused the crystal to break apart, more rainbow blood exploding everywhere as a result.
The three were left gawking at the sight. Myra and Piker watched with widened eyes as they turned their sight back to Mikella who gripped her fingers tight, the tingling making the feeling of pins and needles extremely strong.
“Whoo… my mana just evaporated doing that,” Mikella commented, noticing that doing that simple throw caused her mana pool to dip straight to a quarter of its full amount.
The Hunter breathed raggedly as it tried to get up, getting everyone on edge. It was bleeding profusely, the rainbow-like liquid dripping from the open wound. There were also broken fangs from its jaws, the result from being manhandled straight into the crystal.
It growled, then fire began to spew out from it on all sides. From the fur, the mouth, the eyes–it began to flare up in a way that made even Myra sweat profusely, much less everyone else from the heat.
“Is it planning to blow!?” Myra asked, prepping her spear.
“Whatever it is, we need to kill it, fast!” Piker shouted, already charging in with his sword. He tried to cover it in frost, but the heat was so intense that it just turned into vapor the moment he tried to summon it.
Mikella gripped her sword tight. She ignored the painful heat and the scathing burn on her exposed skin as she charged forward with Myra in tow. She had enough resistance against the flames, so she got there fast and delivered a crushing blow with her spear.
The Hunter snapped back, its moves faster than before. But it was also erratic, as though it was losing control. It reminded Mikella of that crazed Imp that flew around everywhere, eventually getting into Zeke’s barrier before it blew up.
It was charged with so much mana, it made the monster go crazy. With it in this state, it was becoming unpredictable as its mana kept charging, making it stronger and crazier each second.
The other two tried to take it down now that it was heavily injured, but none were fast enough to handle its quick and unpredictable moves. The monster was already dealing enough damage as it is with its heat, but each attack caused the two to wince in pain, the cuts from its claws and broken fangs making them cauterize.
She charged her body with her attunement, fully controlling her in small amounts. Compared to just being charred, this time, she only let it fill her body with just enough of a spark to make a change.
In that instant, her body moved faster than her mind could even comprehend. Yet, instead of mentally controlling it, she let her body’s instincts flow.
When the Hunter was charging at her next, she dodged to the side, barely missing a hair’s breadth before slicing at its leg, her weapon charged with lightning and cutting it open. Another strike, and another dodge, then another slash across its eyes.
The fire was getting more intense. It was beginning to wear down her Stamina longer as a debuff appeared, the intense heat causing her Stamina to lower faster. But she refused to stop.
Even as the coldness of her mana slowly reaching zero was seeping into her, she refused to stop. Not until she pushed herself over to that edge.
Each strike she did, thanks to her increased reactions with her lightning, made her understand what she was lacking. Her sword was long and heavy, easily helping her with the distance. With a little shift, she managed to avoid a critical blow just in time for her to deal a strike straight at its eyes.
It missed the brain, but it was blind in one eye. Another claw strike was coming straight at her side, this time she was unable to move fast enough, her stance too firm to change.
She hit it with the hilt of the sword, the blow strong enough to equal a battle staff as it broke the claws instantly.
Her body was charging with so much energy, she didn’t know what might result in the end. But instead of worrying about where it might lead her, she only focused on targeting the slowly charging enemy ready to blow up.
It glowed brighter, hotter, to the point where even the other two backed off and told her to get away. She could even feel Zeke’s worries draping over her, telling her that if she doesn’t move, he’ll have no choice but to use the barrier.
So she just needed one final act. The monster had enough of her and decided to end it all with a pounce straight at her. Opening its jaws and showing its broken yet still sharp fangs, it tried to bite her and keep her there, making sure that if it dies, she’s going with it.
She refused to accompany the creature as she brandished her sword, the heavy weight resounding in her ears as she backed up just a tad, her lightning charged reflexes helping her. She realized, however, that she backed up too far for her sword to cover the distance.
But she had a feeling that this wasn’t going to be a problem. She slashed her sword at its chest.
She felt it then. Her Sword Mastery reaching its peak. Stamina flowed through her, the kinetic energy reaching deep into her sword, her trusty partner in battle, connecting with her spirit and resolve. There, her sword’s blade extended with energy unlike she ever felt before. Not just filled with lightning from her attunement, but from the literal kinetic energy turned physical into the real world.
[Lightning Strike].
The energy extended blade slashed at the monster through the chest, crushing the hidden gem within.
The energy surrounding the creature slowly faded. Mikella watched the monster in front of her, her eyes peering straight into its own. Seconds later, it no longer moved.
Energy flowed through her as its last remaining vestiges of the flames died out, though the fires still covered the area, including her own armor since she was the only one close enough.
“I-It finally died,” Myra breathed, relaxing her muscles and nearly buckling over. Piker shared the sentiment, using his sword to help carry him.
Zeke went up to them to heal their injuries, though it was clear Mikella was at her worst. Yet she remained oddly still.
Notifications filled her vision as she used the moment to settle the pain and the discomfort of her body being charred by the flames.
> You have defeated Crystal Hunter, Level 72.
>
> You have gained experience points.
…..
> Level up! You are now level 40. You gain 2 free points (2 FP total).
>
> You have gained +3 STR from your class.
> You have gained +3 DEX from your class.
> You have gained +3 END from your class.
…..
> Class Skill Choice available upon reaching Level 40. Choose your skill:
>
> -Forced Regeneration
> -Dragon Roar
She honestly didn’t expect to level up from the fight. Though that would make sense considering just how far they have gotten with their killing for the past while.
But what really made her grin were the next notifications.
> Kinetic Perception Level Up! It is now Level 10 (Maxed).
>
> You have gained +2 DEX from your skill.
> You have gained +2 END from your skill.
>
> Kinetic Perception has been maxed. Bonuses are now applied:
>
> -Increased stamina control
> -Evolution available
> -Advancement available
…..
> Sword Mastery Level Up! It is now Level 10 (Maxed).
>
> You have gained +1 STR from your skill.
> You have gained +1 DEX from your skill.
>
> Sword Mastery has been maxed. Bonuses are now applied:
>
> -Increased sword damage
> -Attained [Sword Arts]
> -Advancement available
…..
> Acrobatics Level Up! It is now Level 10 (Maxed).
>
> You have gained +1 STR from your skill.
> You have gained +2 DEX from your skill
>
> Acrobatics Has been maxed. Bonuses are now applied:
>
> -Increased damage against weak points
> -Decreased stamina consumption
> -Advancement available
…..
> Hawk Eyes Level Up! It is now Level 9.
>
> You have gained +2 STR from your skill.
> You have gained +1 DEX from your skill.
…..
> Pain Resistance Level Up! It is now Level 8.
>
> You have gained +1 VIT from your skill.
> You have gained +1 END from your skill.
…..
> New Title available:
>
> Artist:
> You have developed a weapon art before you attained full mastery of your weapon. You won’t even wait for the system to keep up with you.
>
> You have gained +2 STR from your title.
> You have gained +2 DEX from your title.
> You have gained +2 INT from your title.
>
> Title Skill attained: Artistry.
…..
> Artistry (Title), Level 1 (Maxed)
> Your talent in techniques resounds around you. Any Arts you conjure increase in potency by 1%.
Adrenaline was replaced with sheer elation as Mikella, for once in this world, squealed like a little girl. She jumped high and stretched her arms out.
“Fuck yeah!” She roared into the air. “Three! Three Maxed skills, baby!”
The moment she yelled that, the other three who bore witness to the event widened their eyes further.
“Did you just say three?!” Myra shouted, more shock than envy in her voice. “You’re fucking with me, right?”
“That’s…” Piker shook his head. Words escaped from him as he just stared blankly at her.
Before Mikella could say anything else, she spun around and charged right at Zeke who was just about to share her excited sentiment. She practically tackled him before spinning around, the poor support mage unable to handle her overwhelming joy.
“Zeke! I did it! Three maxed skills! and a fucking Title on top of that!” She shouted, unable to hold back her delight even as she spun Zeke around. If she wasn’t careful, she could even drag him off the ground like a rag doll.
“Holy… shit!” Zeke tried to let out, his voice strangled by her increased Strength. “Th-That’s great… but, you’re kinda killing me here, Mikky…”
She slowed her spin and put him down, letting him breathe. She was breathing raggedly, yet she couldn't seem to feel the end of her energy, even though her Stamina was at its lowest along with the other pools.
Though it looked like during her excitement, Zeke already healed her health back to full.
“Whoo… congratulations,” Zeke finally said, letting out a smile, getting the same from Mikky. “Though, I got one question for you.”
“Mmh? What’s up?” She tilted her head.
“Why the fuck did you have to go that far!?”
It was so sudden, Zeke’s shout echoed across the entire area they were at. It was filled with rage, frustration, and a tinge of fear like a concerned parent who just saw their child fly in the air. Not only Mikella, but even the other two were left startled and flinching by his outburst.
“You just stood there while that thing was about to attack you, right after you said that I can’t put a barrier on you. Do you have any idea how scary seeing that is!? Then you went all lightning and just kept getting burned alive even when the others kept telling you to get away! You can’t expect me to go in there and heal you while you were literally bathing in fucking flames and lightning!”
Mikella heard it all and, replaying it back in her mind, realized just how fucked up her demands were, and how she literally went all out to give him panic attacks. Her cheeks blushed as shame now crept over her, the elation and excitement of receiving her skill upgrades going away.
Even while he was ranting, Zeke was pulling the side of his hair, his face showing extreme anguish.
The other two fighters saw this and, without adding any word, nodded to the mage’s rant. Seeing this, Mikella’s head went further down, trying to hide herself like a turtle.
“S-Sorry…”
“Sorry’s not gonna cut it if I have to go back to Clara to tell her that her sister became KFC!”
“...What’s Kay-eff-cee?” Piker whispered to Myra, receiving an equally confused shrug.
“I don’t know… but it sounds delicious.”